In what has been called a “victory” against the kafala system in Lebanon this week, employers will no longer be allowed to file criminal complaints against migrant domestic workers – including cleaners, nannies and carers – who “run away” from their workplace.
But human rights experts in Lebanon say there is still a long way to go to ensuring migrant domestic workers are afforded their rights as this week’s decision “still squarely places the power in the hands of the employer.”